Heart & Soul
This project promotes healthy behavior through public awareness campaigns via radio, community outreach, health fairs, a walking club, screenings and educational sessions. Dr. Phillips Foundation funds the Walking Club.
As studies indicate, African-Americans, especially women, face the highest risk of death from heart disease and stroke, but they have the lowest risk factor awareness of any racial or ethnic group. The Heart and Soul Project was launched in 2003 with the goal to increase awareness and reduce the impact of cardiovascular disease risk factors African Americans, Haitians and other Blacks from the Caribbean Island Islands age 20 and above.
Through a variety of targeted outreach strategies and culturally sensitive educational activities, we aim to increase the proportion of adults who are aware of the early warning symptoms and signs of a heart attack and the importance of calling 911; are at a healthy weight; and engage regularly (preferably daily) in moderate physical activity for at least 30 minutes a day.
Services Provided
· Street outreach and group level intervention activities
· Community health education workshops
· One-on-one nutritional counseling
· Health fairs and screening events
· A medical referral system for at risk persons
· Community walking programs and annual soccer tournament
· Advocacy for park safety and better emergency services in high risk communities
Contact:
Center for Multicultural Wellness & Prevention
641 N. Rio Grande Ave.
Orlando, Florida 32805
Telephone: (407) 648-9440 / (407) 237-3061
Fax: (407) 648-8879
